Furtei: Easter Traditions, Churches and Archaeological Traces

Furtei between Festive Tradition and Archaeology

Furtei combines religious festive traditions with archaeological and ecclesiastical historical traces. This creates a destination whose character can be explored through Easter customs, nuraghi, Roman remains and sacred buildings from different periods. When planning your visit, it is also important to consider that individual churches have different levels of accessibility.

Religious Festivals with Their Own Language

After the Good Friday liturgy, Su Scravamentu in Furtei reenacts the Passion and death of Jesus in a staged performance presented by local residents; this is followed by a procession. During S'Incontru at Easter, the statues of the risen Christ and the grieving Madonna are brought together before a procession proceeds to the Church of Santa Barbara. If you would like to experience these traditions, plan your trip for Good Friday or Easter, respectively.

During the celebration of Saint Narcissus in a 13th-century chapel, the rosary is sung alternately by men and women in Campidanese Sardinian. This is followed by the performance of the Is Coggius, also recited in Campidanese Sardinian. The festival also includes a tasting of roasted chestnuts and new wine. The celebration thus combines liturgical, linguistic and culinary elements.

Archaeological Layers and Historic Sites

Five nuraghi in Furtei survive today only as ruins: Cummossariu, Bangius, Sa Conca Manna, Noraxiais and Su Bruncu'e Su Senzu. Two small bronze objects were found in the 1950s in the courtyard of the Cummossariu nuraghe and are displayed on the first floor of the National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari. The Is Bangius archaeological area includes the remains of a Roman thermal complex uncovered in the 1980s. Surviving traces are visible at the site; a further excavation campaign that could uncover more significant parts has yet to take place.

The Church of Santa Maria dates from the period between the late 12th and early 13th centuries and is probably of Romanesque origin. The Church of Santa Barbara preserves a panel depicting the Crucifixion, attributed to the 16th-century painter Antioco Mainas. The rural Church of San Biagio probably dates from the Byzantine period and was the parish church of the now-forgotten former village of Nuraxi.

Practical Orientation on Site

The Church of San Narciso is accessible and open to visitors only during Mass times or festivals. The rural Church of San Biagio is not accessible; however, its architectural elements can be viewed at the entrance gate. At Cuccuru S. Biagio, also known as Santu Brai, the Carthaginians converted an existing nuragic fortification into a military installation. The nuraghe was partially incorporated as a central, square mastio or tower structure. The fortified installation was located near a ford of the Flumini Mannu and the Furtei pass, which connects the Campidano with the Marmilla.

More Destinations for Your Planning

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Furtei, you can find them here: Villacidro, Guspini, Torre Dei Corsari, Pauli Arbarei, Villanovaforru, Gesturi, Sanluri and Arbus.

For the higher-level travel overview: Medio Campidano.